Election hailed a success for diversity in Scottish politics
THE SCOTTISH Parliament elections have been hailed as a success for diversity after the first BAME woman, wheelchair user and Sikh person were elected.
Kaukab Stewart made history after becoming the first woman of colour to be elected as an MSP, taking the Glasgow Kelvin seat for the SNP.
She replaced Sandra White, also of the SNP, who stepped down after more than two decades as an MSP.
Her election was welcomed by politicians from across the political spectrum, including Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.
In her acceptance speech, Ms Stewart said: “It is without doubt an honour to be elected as the first woman of colour to the Scottish Parliament.
“It has taken too long, but to all the women and girls of colour out there: the Scottish Parliament belongs to you too, so while I may be the first, I will not be the last.”
Ms Stewart, a teacher, first ran for Parliament in 1999 against Scotland’s first leader, Donald Dewar.
She said: “I must admit, in 1999, when I stood at that time, I didn’t think that it would be me that would be the first woman of colour to actually get elected in 2021 but it is.
“You know, you have to keep going, keep persevering, keep working hard, and we’ve got there in the end.”
Nicola Sturgeon said it had “taken us far too long” to elect a black and minority ethnic (BAME) woman to Holyrood, but added: “Party politics aside this a really special and a very significant moment for Scotland, and I could not be prouder right now.”
Pam Duncan-Glancy, Labour MSP for Glasgow, became the first wheelchair user to be elected to Holyrood.
She has been outspoken about issues affecting disabled people, and said she had even struggled to get into the Emirates Arena where the votes were being counted.
She said: “What happened yesterday happens to disabled people across Scotland and the country, and indeed the world I’m sure on a daily basis, and it shouldn’t, and that’s one of the reasons why I’ve always been involved in politics. It’s why I’m an activist, why I believe in equality and human rights.”
The Sikh community were also celebrating after a second woman of colour, and the first Sikh person, was elected yesterday.
Permjit (Pam) Gosal secured her space as an MSP on the West of Scotland list for the Scottish Conservatives.
Commenting on her victory, Charandeep Singh, director of Sikhs in Scotland, said: “Pam Gosal’s election victory is a monumental moment in Scottish Sikh history, marking the first ever Sikh elected to the Holyrood Parliament.
“Sikhs have been in Scotland for over 100 years and it has been a long wait to see diverse representation in the national Parliament.
“I hope this will inspire more people from all backgrounds to engage in politics. Many congratulations to Pam and we wish her success in her new role.”